Monday, June 13, 2016

GÉANT will deploy Infinera’s programmable and open packet optical SDN solution on its pan-European network, which interconnects Europe’s National Research and Education Networks (NRENs) and supports over 50 million users at 10,000 institutions across the continent.

Infinera said GÉANT has tested and validated two key components of its packet optical SDN solution, the Open Transport Switch (OTS) software and the Packet Switching Module (PXM). The PXM enables Ethernet and MPLS switching intelligence on the Infinera DTN-X platform, which is widely deployed in the GÉANT network.

Infinera’s DTN-X family delivers terabit-class scalability, operational simplicity and efficiency, and high levels of flexibility and programmability for multi-layer Intelligent Transport Networks. Infinera’s OTS software further enables multi-layer SDN programmability of Infinera networks with an open modular architecture, open APIs and a simplified programming model for rapid SDN application development. Introduced in 2015 and initially deployed for SDN-driven optical bandwidth on demand services, OTS has been extended to support programmability of Layer 2 packet services via the PXM, enabling multi-layer service provisioning and optimization over an integrated packet-optical transport network.

GÉANT validated the Infinera packet SDN solution components and is working with ON Lab to develop the ONOS SDN controller to create an SDN-driven approach to network optimization. Once the solution is fully deployed, GÉANT will be able to enhance how large data flows across the network are routed, optimizing connectivity and capacity between the IP/MPLS and optical layers to deliver a multi-layer transport solution in the support of data-intensive research computing projects. This will improve the service offered to users and reduce the need to overprovision capacity at the IP/MPLS and optical layers. GÉANT has modeled the benefits of re-architecting its network to use the Infinera packet optical SDN solution versus multiple alternatives. This solution avoids 50 percent of expenditure across the network where it is to be initially deployed.

“We are delighted to work with GÉANT to deliver real-world, deployable SDN solutions that create tangible value,” said Nick Walden, Senior Vice President, EMEA at Infinera. “This is just one example illustrating the strong partnership between our organizations, and we are excited about working with GÉANT to deliver future innovations.”

GÉANT, Europe’s leading collaboration on e-infrastructure and services for research and education (R&E), and operator of the pan-European R&E network that interconnects Europe’s National Research and Education Networks (NRENs), has deployed the Infinera Cloud Xpress to extend their 100 gigabit Ethernet (GbE) network connectivity into data centers. Initial connectivity is being provided to Jisc, the UK organization for education and research...

GEANT, the European research network formed last year through the integration of the TERENA and DANTE initiatives, has deployed the Open source SDN Network Operating System (ONOS) on its pan-European testbed network. The ONOS installation allows researchers to define, build, test and rebuild highly scalable, high capacity virtual networks quickly, easily and cost-effectively. Specifically, GEANT is running a new Inter Cluster ONOS Network Application...

Florida International University (FIU) has deployed the Open source SDN Network Operating System (ONOS) on Americas Lightpaths (AmLight), creating a software-defined networking (SDN) facility entirely based on OpenFlow. Five Latin American research and education networks (RENs) – Academic Network at Sao Paulo (ANSP), Brazilian National Research and Education Network (RNP), Latin American Advanced Networks Cooperation (RedClara), National University...

Infinera and DANTE (Delivery of Advanced Network Technology to Europe), have set a Guinness World Record for the fastest rate of multi-Terabit optical capacity provisioning across the GÉANT Network. Infinera and DANTE were able to install and activate eight Terabits per second (Tbps) of long haul super-channel optical capacity. The record was set using an Infinera Intelligent Transport Network, featuring the DTN-X packet optical transport networking...

Microsoft agreed to acquire LinkedIn for $26.2 billion in cash, giving it the world’s largest social network for professional contacts.

LinkedIn highlights:

19 percent growth year over year (YOY) to more than 433 million members worldwide

9 percent growth YOY to more than 105 million unique visiting members per month

49 percent growth YOY to 60 percent mobile usage

34 percent growth YOY to more than 45 billion quarterly member page views

101 percent growth YOY to more than 7 million active job listings

Microsoft said LinkedIn will retain its distinct brand, culture and independence. Jeff Weiner will remain CEO of LinkedIn, reporting to Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft.

“The LinkedIn team has grown a fantastic business centered on connecting the world’s professionals,” Nadella said. “Together we can accelerate the growth of LinkedIn, as well as Microsoft Office 365 and Dynamics as we seek to empower every person and organization on the planet.”

“Just as we have changed the way the world connects to opportunity, this relationship with Microsoft, and the combination of their cloud and LinkedIn’s network, now gives us a chance to also change the way the world works,” Weiner said. “For the last 13 years, we’ve been uniquely positioned to connect professionals to make them more productive and successful, and I’m looking forward to leading our team through the next chapter of our story.”
http://www.microsoft.com

LinkedIn's Project Falco is building a disaggregated switching platform to enable a programmable data center fabric on top of an open network operating system. LinkedIn has said its goal is to move toward "a fully-automated, self-healing, and purpose-built application-centric network that operates on its own. " https://engineering.linkedin.com/blog/2016/06/openswitch

The LinkedIn website and related infrastructure are hosted in multiple third-party facilities in multiple cities in the U.S. and in Singapore.

LinkedIn's 2015 annual report discussed significant investments in data centers that the company was expecting to make to handle future growth and new services.

LinkedIn's engineering team has developed its own data center switch to keep up with the rapidly growing traffic demands of its professional, social network.

The new switch, dubbed "Pigeon", is a 3.2 Tbps switching platform that can be used as a leaf or spine switch. It uses Broadcom's latest Tomahawk silicon (32X100G) and switch software developed in house.

In a blog post, Zaid Ali Kahn describes why the company decided to take on the difficult task of switching software code development rather than relying on an existing network equipment supplier. Key reason include ongoing bugs, unneeded features, lack of a Linux-based platform support tools such as Chef/Puppet/CFEngine, out-of-date monitoring capabilities, and the high-cost of scaling the software license.

The Pigeon switch will be deployed in LinkedIn's upcoming data center in Oregon.

Symantec agreed to acquire Blue Coat for approximately $4.65 billion in cash. Symantec intends to finance the transaction with cash on the balance sheet and $2.8 billion of new debt. In connection with the transaction, Silver Lake has agreed to make an additional investment of $500 million in 2.0% convertible notes due 2021 of Symantec, doubling its investment in Symantec to $1 billion. In addition, Bain Capital has agreed to make an investment of $750 million in the convertible notes.

Symantec said the acquisition of Blue Coat enhances its position to define the future of cybersecurity and set the pace for innovation.

“With this transaction, we will have the scale, portfolio and resources necessary to usher in a new era of innovation designed to help protect large customers and individual consumers against insider threats and sophisticated cybercriminals. Together, we will be best positioned to address the ever-evolving threat landscape, the massive changes introduced by the shift to mobile and cloud, and the challenges created by regulatory and privacy concerns,” said Dan Schulman, Chairman of Symantec.

For its fiscal year ending April 30, 2016, Blue Coat reports GAAP revenue of $598 million and non-GAAP revenue was $755 million, with 17% year-over-year growth, supported by new products and new customers. For the same time period, the company had non-GAAP operating margins of 22% and cash flow from operations of $135 million. Also for this time period, GAAP operating margins were -42%.

The combined Symantec + Blue Coat would have had $4.4 billion in revenues in fiscal year 2016, of which 62% would come from enterprise security. By the end of fiscal 2018, Symantec expects to realize $550 million in run-rate cost savings, of which $400 million will come from Symantec’s previously announced cost efficiency program.

Greg Clark, CEO of Blue Coat, will be appointed Chief Executive Officer of Symantec and join the Symantec Board upon closing of the transaction. The Board of Directors will continue to be led by Symantec’s current Chairman, Mr. Schulman. Mr. Clark will serve as CEO and Mr. Seifert will continue as Chief Financial Officer.

The companies said that as organizations adopt a software-defined data center (SDDC) architecture based on VMware virtualized infrastructure, they will require an operational model that delivers cross-silo visibility and collaboration. By integrating Arkin's platform with the VMware vRealize Suite, cloud management teams will have access to a new generation of planning, troubleshooting and automation platform that provide visibility and control across the entire data center environment.

“Arkin is a great fit for VMware and its customers as we look to accelerate our growth businesses including cloud management and network virtualization,” said Ajay Singh, senior vice president and general manager, cloud management business unit, VMware. “With VMware NSX combined with Arkin and vRealize, VMware will deliver the security and operations management plane for the SDDC. Over time, Arkin will solidify vRealize Suite’s position as the industry’s most comprehensive Cloud Management Platform that delivers application-focused operations, NSX micro-segmentation at scale and cross-domain visibility and context across physical and logical infrastructure.”

China Mobile awarded a one-year frame agreement valued at up to EUR 1.36 billion to Nokia.

Under the deal, Nokia will deploy its 5G-ready AirScale Base Station, which allows multiple radio technologies to operate simultaneously in one base station, and also additional elements of its mobile radio access and core portfolio in addition to fixed access, IP routing and optical transport, customer experience management, operational support system (OSS) and third party products as well as its global Services expertise.

The agreement was signed at the Sino-German Economic Forum by Li Huidi, Executive Vice President at China Mobile, and Hans-Juergen Bill, Executive Vice President at Nokia and also Chairman of the Board of Directors of Nokia Networks GmbH & Co KG in Germany. The German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang attended the forum.

VimpelCom, which serves more than 200 million mobile and broadband customers across Russia and 13 other countries, has selected Ericsson to transform its global IT infrastructure. Ericsson valued the deal at more than US$1 billion.

Under the partnership, Ericsson will undertake a complete overhaul of VimpelCom's IT infrastructure across 11 countries and 12 time zones. Ericsson said the project's scale is the largest and most ambitious in the industry's history.

VimpelCom will digitalize and globalize its Business Support Systems (BSS) infrastructure using Ericsson's new software and cloud technologies. The Digital Stack will accelerate product and service development, while the delivery and use of near real-time analytics, will allow greater personalization of services for customers. In addition, a simpler user interface will also enhance the customer experience on all levels.

Jean-Yves Charlier, Chief Executive Officer of VimpelCom, said: "This marks a fundamental milestone in our transformation as we move ahead with our strategy to turn VimpelCom into a true digital pioneer. The new Digital Stack will help us better respond to our customers while also centralizing and simplifying our business, creating lean and agile operations that will result in a more efficient cost structure across our global footprint."

Hans Vestberg, President and CEO, Ericsson, said: "In a fully connected world, success for operators requires performance, flexibility and efficiency. Ericsson's unique BSS as a service concept, combed with our leading services and technology capabilities, will support VimpelCom in realizing these ambitions while positioning the company for further growth as ICT transforms industries everywhere."